Signaling device



NOV. 12, 1940. CARVER 2,229,953

' SIGNALING DEVICE Filed April 21, 1938 Patented Nov. 12, 19402,220,915: SIGNALING navror:

Horace N. Carver, Wichita, Kano; Application April 21, ms, serial No.203,345

7 5. Claims.

This invention relates to signaling devices and more particularly to aportable signal adapted to be conveniently placed on highways, andsimilar thoroughfares for warning motorists and the like of obstructionson a highway;

It is ordinarily difficult for operators of vehicles such as loadedtrucks to pull off the road when it becomes neeessary to make repairs onthe vehicles under their control.

motor of a truck fail or the tires need changing, the stalled orotherwise stationary vehicle creates a hazardon the road, not only toap:

proaching motorists, but also to the truck operators and the propertyunder their control.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a signalof the character commonly known as a "road flare" which is capable ofreflecting and/0r refracting light rays, generated by the lights ofapproaching vehicles, back approximate their source of incidence to warnthe occupants of those vehicles of the presence of obstructions onroads.

Other important objects of the present invention are to provide acollapsible light reflecting and/or refracting signal of sturdy anddurable construction capable of withstanding shocks and jars withoutdamage to the signal; to so design the signal that it is difiicult totip over accidently;

I to provide a compact and easily operable signal of a high degree ofefliciency; to provide a protective mounting for the reflector or lightrefracting element of the signal; to provide a collapsible base orsupporting standard for the signaling device for the purpose ofconserving space when the device is to be stored; to provide collapsiblemembers for selectively maintaining the signaling element in erected oroperative condition; and to provide improved parts and arrangements ofparts making up a signaling device of 0 this character.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, Ihave provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of whichis illustrated in the accompanying drawing, where- Fig. 1 is aperspective view of a signaling device embodying-the features of thepresent invention and showing the device in erected condition.

. Fig. 2 is a sideelevational view of the signal- I ing device, one ofthe bracket arms for retaining the signaling element in erectedcondition being shown in dotted lines in collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is an end elevatlonal view of the signaling device, the basebeing shown in horizontal Should 'the (01. 248-127) cross-section andthe position of the signaling ele- 0 Fig. 6 is a detail perspective viewof one of 1 the bracket arms for retaining the signaling element inerected condition.

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

A signaling device embodying the present invention preferably includes acollapsible base I, and a signaling element 2 hingedly mountedon thebase. Bracket arms 3 adapted for engagement with the signaling elementare preferably provided on the base to selectively retain the signalingelement in erected condition.

More particularly, the collapsible base I prefer ably consists of anelongated member 4 of strap iron or the like, which is pivoted at itscenter, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, by a pivot pin 5 having a retaininghead 6 at one end engaged with the underface i of the member 4 andhaving a retaining head 8 on its other end engaged with a hinge plate 9or the like mounted on the upper face of an elongated cooperating ill ofa material similar to the base. member 4. The base member I0 preferablyhasinwardly turned ends ii and I2 spaced from the underface thereof toprovide a socket i3 or the like into which the ends of the base member 4may be turned tocollapse the base and thus require less storagespacewhen the signaling device is not in use.

The signaling element 2 preferably comprises oppositely disposed platesl4 and I5, Fig. 5, each preferably formed of colored rolled glass orsimilar substantially transparent material having suitable outer facesi8 and I1 and preferably prismatic inner faces l8 and IQ for reflectingand/or refracting light rays impinging against 45 the outer facesthereof back approximate the sources of incidence of such rays. Theperipheral edges of the signal plates i 4 and I5 are mounted withinmating frame members 20 and 2|, Fig. 3,

which are preferably of substantially circular or 50 on such innersurfaces, a cross-section through base member 30 which is indicated at24 and 25 in Fig. 5, these bosses being interengageable when the framesare in adjacent relation. The bosses 24 and 25 terminate short of theinner edges 26 and 21 of the frames to form seats for the peripheraledges of the signal plates l4 and Hi. The outer side edges of the platesare arranged for engagement by the edges 28 and 21 respectively of theframes, which edges secure the plates in position in the frame. Thesignal plate frames are preferably secured together in a suitable manneras by the extension of fastening devices 28 through aligned apertures inthe frames and bosses.

As a matter of practice, the signal plates i3 and M are preferablyspaced as shown at 29, in

Fig. 5, and the peripheral edges of the plates are engaged in thegrooves of a preferably E-shaped gasket 30 of sponge rubber or similarmaterial mounted in the signal plate frames for cushioning the signalplates relative to theirsupport and thereby permitting relatively roughtreatment of the assembled devices without danger of breaking the signalplates. The space 29 between the signal plates obviously separates theplates and provides an advantage for the device in that when one of theplates is broken, the other may still be used, the gasket acting to holdthe unbroken signal plate in its frame in such a manner that thesignaling device may be employed to warn approaching motorists from atleast one direction. I

In order to mount the signaling element on the collapsible base, theplate 9 is employed as one leaf of a hinge, the other leaf 3| ofthehinge, Fig. 2, being securedin a suitable manner to the frame 20 ofthe signaling element, the leaf 3| forming a hinging device to connectthe signaling element to the base. Suitable hinging elements 32 areinterposed preferably substantially in the horizontal plane of the basemembers 4 and Ill between the leaves 9 and 29 forinterconnecting thesame to provide a pivotal connection between the collapsible base andsignaling element.-

The bracket arms 3 each preferably comprise a hinge leaf 33 suitablyfixed to the base member In in spaced relation to the hinges 9-3|. Thecounterpart of the hinge leaf 33 which is connected thereto in asuitable manner as indicated at 34, preferably on a horizontal axis,comprises a bracket arm of substantially channel shape terminating atits upper end in a clip member 35 of a size adapting it for clippingengagement with the outer surface of the frames 20 and 2| of thesignaling element to engage the same and retain the signaling element inerected or operative condition.

The operation of a signaling device constructed as described is asfollows:

Assuming the device to be in collapsed or stored condition, as shown inFig. 4; when it is desired to employ the same for warning approachingmotorists of obstructions on the road, the base member 4 is pivoted fromthe position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 1 to provide a pairof crossing base members covering a substantial area to provide anadequate support for the signaling element. The signaling element isthen hinged on its hinge leaves 9 and 3i to an erect position, as shownin Fig. 3, the bracket arms first having been hinged outwardly relativeto the base member Hi to provide clearance for the stated position ofthe signaling element. The bracket arms are then forced inwardlywhereupon the clip end members 35 thereof engageabout and press againstthe frame members 20 and 2| to retain the signaling element .in erectedcondition.

When the signalling device has served its immediate purpose and is againready for storage, the bracket arms are forced outwardly to release thesignaling element which may then be hinged downwardly to permit thebracket arms tobe hinged inwardly to the collapsed condition shown inFig. 4. The base member d is then pivoted in such a manner that the endsthereof engage in the sockets I? at the ends of the base member Ill andthe signaling device is then ready for storage in its collapsedcondition.

It is apparent that the present device may be placed either in front ofand behind a vehicle on a road and that either of the signal plates maybe faced toward either direction of approaching traffic on a highway towarn the occupants of approaching vehicles of the presence of anobstruction on the highway.

The principal advantages of a signaling device embodying the features ofthe present invention are that it is strong, rigid, durable andwithstands rough treatment.

The device is very compact and may be conveniently stored in any type ofvehicle. Light rays may be reflected and/or refracted from either sideof the signal element. Further, should one of .the signal plates bebroken, the other signal plate isstilleffective to warn approachingmotorists of the presence of obstructions to thus protect lives andproperty. Further, the device is light, inexpensive to manufacture,easily operable, and very eificient for its intended purpose.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A road signal of the character described consisting of a base memberadapted to rest upon the ground and form a support, a frame memberadapted to carry a signaling element, said frame member being hingedlyconnected with said base member and normally lying substantion to theconnection of the frame member to the base member, the unhinged end ofthe arm being removably engageable with the frame member, when inupright condition, to hold the frame member upright.

3. A road signal as defined in claim 1 wherein the base member consistsof a plurality of pivotally connected relatively spreadable members, andthe frame member is hinged to one of said members.

4. In a road signal of the character described, a base adapted to restupon the ground and form a support, a frame adapted to carry a signalingelement having a hinge substantially in the plane of the base andconnecting the frame to the base for allowing the frame to lie fiat ininoperative condition and to allow the frame to be moved to uprightoperative condition on and in angular relation to the base, and aplurality of inwardly directed arms hawng outer ends hinged to the basein spaced relation to each other, the

aaeopsa inner ends of said arms normally lying on said base and beingmovable upwardly to allow operative positioning of the frame andremovable engagement of the frame by the arms to hold the frame inoperative condition.

5. In a road signal of the'character described. a base adapted to restupon the ground and form a support, a frame adapted to carry a signalingelement having a hinge substantially in the plane of the base andconnecting the frame to the base for allowing the frame-to lie flat ininoperative condition and to allow the frame to be moved to uprightoperative condition on and erative positioning of the frame andremovable engagement of the frame by the arms to hold the frame inoperative condition, and clip members on the inner ends of said arms forfacilitating engagement and removal of said arms relative 10- to saidframe.

HORACE N. CARVER.

